Maya and the Lord of Shadows
Rena Barron
Maya and the Lord of Shadows
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rena Barron
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
Maya embarks on a daring quest to confront the mysterious Lord of Shadows after danger strikes her world. Her journey spans across magical realms and challenges her courage as she fights to protect everything she loves. Along the way, Maya faces tricky foes and learns the power of bravery and friendship.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence, bullying. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Maya and the Lord of Shadows 10LE
Maya and the Lord of Shadows is written at a Level 5-6 reading level (approximately 61,385 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.3 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Maya and the Lord of Shadows works for readers up to grade 7.3.
Read aloud, Maya and the Lord of Shadows runs about 6.8 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Maya and the Lord of Shadows as 10LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence, Bullying.
Thematically, Maya and the Lord of Shadows explores adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Maya and the Rising Dark series.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Maya and the Rising Dark Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780358106333
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Published
- 2022
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 61,385
- Read-Aloud
- ~6h 49m